tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.comments2021-06-27T08:12:27.146-04:00Why Howard Cosell Belongs in the Pro Football Hall of FameIndependent Researcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05319334565163694612noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-43716619264975518402013-03-21T12:21:00.547-04:002013-03-21T12:21:00.547-04:00"It worked out all right. It really did. I gi..."It worked out all right. It really did. I give (Cosell) a lot of credit for setting a certain tone. He made my job so much easier." -- Don MeredithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-80468261196816461392013-03-20T14:35:28.238-04:002013-03-20T14:35:28.238-04:00I don't blame Cosell from walking away from th...I don't blame Cosell from walking away from the boxing in 1982 after that brutal bout between heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Randall "Tex" Cobb.Brian Caytonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-91175666497123801972013-03-20T14:31:58.248-04:002013-03-20T14:31:58.248-04:00I don't think there's been any other broad...I don't think there's been any other broadcaster in the history of the art who had a greater influence on the way society viewed sports," he said. "At a time when many reporters -- broadcast and print -- were content to feed Pablum to the public, he served a full-course meal. He believed what he said, that sports needed to be changed. While people may have wanted the escape sports provided, they also needed to hear the principles he spoke about.Richard Lapchicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-56559199158473354312013-03-20T14:30:04.224-04:002013-03-20T14:30:04.224-04:00In an ESPN special, they picked the top 40 figures...In an ESPN special, they picked the top 40 figures in the history of sports. Cosell was in his top five, along with heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.Nicky B.http://inducthowardcosell.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-2901345858259910872013-03-20T14:28:01.162-04:002013-03-20T14:28:01.162-04:00What's sad is that he was a major figure -- he...What's sad is that he was a major figure -- he was the pioneer of sports journalism. His bitterness pushed people away at a time when the whole world would have been predisposed to honor him. Such a shame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-65539348712030504282013-03-20T14:22:24.466-04:002013-03-20T14:22:24.466-04:00Howard Cosell was the smartest and most entertaini...Howard Cosell was the smartest and most entertaining and unforgettable television broadcaster in the history of sports. A superb reporter who worked harder and asked better questions than anyone else who'd ever worn earphones. Jason Millsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-57822600922603416902013-03-15T11:29:51.613-04:002013-03-15T11:29:51.613-04:00Cosell was a human being -- flawed, often rude, in...Cosell was a human being -- flawed, often rude, insecure. But again, the broader picture is how Cosell was at the head of the line when it came to turning sports into something more than the "toy department." Society was in flux in the '60s. Outsiders such as Harry Edwards and Jack Scott were probing how sports was hardly pure. Ditto for athletes such as Jim Bouton, and of course, Ali. Cosell's presence and voice on a major forum such as ABC brought that front and center, at once amplifying and legitimizing for a far broader approach to exploring sports than had ever existed before. He's the catalyst for programs such as HBO's Real Sports, ESPN's Outside the Lines, PTI and so many forms of vocalized sports talk.Joel Druckerhttp://www.amazon.com/review/R2HPBS3HAGEH9X/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2HPBS3HAGEH9Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-15329127174221509312013-03-15T11:20:34.804-04:002013-03-15T11:20:34.804-04:00After all of these years, I think it's very na...After all of these years, I think it's very naive to believe that there isn't something political going on inside the halls of Canton with regards to Cosell. Joe Horrigan isn't going to be totally forthcoming about the inside politics. I do agree that "intellectually" Howard Cosell is a clear choice for the award and the fans of Cosell (of which there were many) shouldn't have to wait so many years after his death to see him recognized. My gut tells me that this has something to do with Frank Gifford.Ted Wintersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-7717375762564570762013-03-01T18:26:39.656-05:002013-03-01T18:26:39.656-05:00what a tragedy it is that Cosell was never enshrin...what a tragedy it is that Cosell was never enshrined. Howard wasn't buddy-buddy enough with the right guys, asked probing questions, was like a junkyard dog with a bone on so many things. He really just rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Which is why he was such a good journalist and commentator.Mike Koontznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-39311290276501332262013-02-24T12:10:21.823-05:002013-02-24T12:10:21.823-05:00A former lawyer to many athletes, Cosell became on...A former lawyer to many athletes, Cosell became one of the most respected journalists to report on them. Covering Cassius Clay before and after he became Muhammed Ali, Cosell's friendship with Ali played for big ratings and brought an everlasting respect between the two. Cosell was also part of the broadcast team for ABC's Monday Night Football. Cosell, like what Edward R. Murrow did for hard news, took a no–nonsense, pull-no-punches style to reporting. Using the catchphrase, "I'm just telling it like it is," Cosell would talk openly about the controversial race and social issues of the day. Perhaps his biggest moments in history came as a reporter on the 1972 Olympic games, when the Black September group had attacked Israeli athletes (Cosell’s commentary on the event can be heard in “Munich,” and during a Monday Night Football broadcast, reporting that John Lennon had been killed, "Dead on arrival."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-77343720525524407462013-02-18T16:42:05.856-05:002013-02-18T16:42:05.856-05:00Fans today have no idea how big Howard was for foo...Fans today have no idea how big Howard was for football. Howard Cosell was perfect for the role. He was clearly the most loved and hated man in America. Brass, cocky, controversial but always wanting to open his mouth and have everyone listens to him. My fondest memories of Monday Night Football is Don Meredith and his comedy. It was worth watching just to listen to Don. Frank Gifford was the ballast, the middleman compromise between Frank and Don who made everything run smoothly. Howard was an intelligent, complex man who had a huge desire to be loved. I miss him.Donald Whitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242231692204619052.post-62323625835115542212013-02-11T20:04:55.706-05:002013-02-11T20:04:55.706-05:00Howard Cosell often reminded me of Ted Husing.Howard Cosell often reminded me of Ted Husing.Mitchel Waltersnoreply@blogger.com